Charles Fell

For the English divine, see Charles Fell (divine).

Charles Yates Fell, (1844 – 9 June 1918) was a New Zealand barrister, councillor, mayor and watercolour artist.

Background

Fell was born in Nelson in 1844.^[1][2] He was the son of Alfred Fell, merchant and early settler,^[3] brother of the English politician Arthur Fell and grandson of Henry Seymour, after whom Seymour Square in Blenheim is named.^[4]

Fell took lessons with the Rev Meyrick Lully and later with Archdeacon Paul of Nelson. In 1859 both he and his parents returned to England where he attended King's College School, London. From the he went to St John's College, Oxford from 1863 to 1867 obtaining a Bachelor of Arts. He returned to New Zealand in 1870 after marrying in 1867.

Fell was admitted to bar and joined the Home Circuit, entered Lincoln's Inn, and thence Inner Temple.^[5] After a short time practicing in England he returned to New Zealand. In 1880 he entered into partnership with Arthur Atkinson, founding the legal firm Fell and Atkinson. For many years Fell was the Crown Solicitor, Registrar of the Diocese of Nelson, and governor of Nelson College.

He was also a good athlete. Noted for his speed at sprints, a stroke for his college boat at Oxford, and an expert horseman. In Nelson he was an enthusiastic yachtsman.

Fell married 1867 and returned to New Zealand 1870. After death of his first wife he married Atkinson's daughter. She was also the niece of the painter Dorothy Richmond.

One of his sons, Dr A N Fell, played rugby for Scotland, while studying at Edinburgh University and served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Another, Charles Richard Fell took his place in Fell and Atkinson. He also had two daughters, Mrs Lindo Levin (London) and Mrs R Humphries (Wellington).

Fell died at Nelson on 9 June 1918 aged 74.

Painter

Fell had painted in watercolour while at King's College but did not paint seriously until later life. He was a Trustee of the Bishop Suter Art Gallery, Nelson from its inception in 1896 until his death in 1918.^[6] In 1918 he accompanied the painter Henry Morland Gore on a sketching tour of Matai Valley and a member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.

Two of his works, St Johns Farm, Prades (1916) and Mountain Village are held in the Suter. A third, Country Scene, Nelson, is held in a private collection.

Prior to returning to painting, Fell had become a photographer, specialising in landscapes and portraits. Some of his photographs are held in the National Library of New Zealand.

Fell's talents also extended to music, being noted as a fine musician. He also promoted and supported the Nelson School of Music.

Mayor

Fell became Mayor of Nelson on 23 November 1882^[7] when Edward Everett resigned. Fell remained Mayor until 21 December 1887^[8] when he was succeeded by John Sharp.

References

1. ^ Fell, Charles Yates, 'Whos Who in New Zealand and the Western Pacific 1908, Gary H Scholefield and E Schwabe (Editors), Gordon and Gotch Proprietory Limited (Publisher)
2. ^ OBITUARY – Mr C Y Fell, Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 137, 10 June 1918, Page 8
3. ^ Fell, Charles Yates, 'Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists', Una Platts, Avon Fine Prints 1980, Christchurch
4. ^ "An Old Colonist Dead". Grey River Argus: p. 2. Volume XXX, Issue 4607, 31 May 1883. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=GRA18830531.2.10.12. Retrieved 2 August 2011. 
5. ^ Barristers and Solicitors, p81, 'The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]', Cyclopedia Company Limited 1906, Christchurch
6. ^ Appendix A, p170, 'The Suter - 100 hundred years in Nelson, Susan Butterworth
7. ^ Editorial, Colonist, Volume XXVI, Issue 3627, 24 November 1882, Page 3
8. ^ Installation of Mayor, Colonist, Volume XXX, Issue 5089, 22 December 1887, Page 3

Political offices
Preceded by Edward Everett	Mayor of Nelson 1882–1887	Succeeded by John Sharp